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Cars we're thankful we drove in 2019

We drove a lot of cars in 2019, and there's still a month to go. We drove them in our home office in Michigan, at our remote offices in Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Columbus, Ohio, and throughout the globe on myriad press launches. We could count them, but hey, that seems boastful.  Instead, we want to be thankful. Not only for the opportunity to do this wonderful task some might describe as a "job," but for the new, shiny cars that brighten our days (and most hopefully yours). We asked our fellow editors which car they were most thankful to drive in 2019 ... here are our answers. 2019 Hyundai Veloster N Performance Senior Editor Alex Kierstein Every once in a while a car comes along that changes the narrative on a company or its segment, and everyone scrambles to experience it for themselves. This year, for me, that car’s the Veloster N Performance, perhaps the most transformative car the companyÂ’s ever built. Everyone whoÂ’s driven it, here and elsewhere, says it captures all those intangibles that make great driving hatchbacks great. And IÂ’m thankful that I got a go in it before all of them left the fleet, because it does. It upends the segment long dominated by the GTI, a car that nails its brief. The N is rowdy and loud, sure, but it also has some of the most deftly tuned suspension IÂ’ve come across in a front driver. My advice: if youÂ’re in the market for something fun and unique, go test drive a Veloster N. I think youÂ’ll be thankful you did. 2019 Hyundai Veloster N View 47 Photos 2019 Audi E-Tron Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder IÂ’m pleased that I got to drive the Audi E-Tron. ThatÂ’s high praise for a year in which I also drove the stellar Jaguar I-Pace. The E-Tron, while not as sporty as the Jaguar, is excellently executed, and feels like a more refined, polished offering. ItÂ’s quick, whisper-quiet, comfortable, stylish inside and out, and incredibly sturdy. Some may lament that it doesnÂ’t do much to stand out from ICE vehicles, but I donÂ’t think it needs to. What it does need to do is win over the electro-skeptical, and I think Audi put its best foot forward with a crossover that can do just that, and more. So, yeah, not only am I thankful that I got to drive it, IÂ’m glad that itÂ’s compelling enough that itÂ’ll hopefully make potential customers feel the same. 2020 Audi E-Tron View 13 Photos 2013 Peugeot 508 West Coast Editor James Riswick My choice totally sucks.

2016 Mazda CX-3 scores 29/35 mpg EPA ratings

Looking for a subcompact crossover that won't cost you too much at the pumps? Your best bet is now the new Mazda CX-3, according to fuel economy figures released by the EPA. Mazda's new baby crossover has been rated by the US government agency at 29 miles per gallon in the city, 35 on the highway, and 31 on the combined cycle. That's in front-drive spec, giving the CX-3 better fuel economy than anything else in its class (at least, that is, with an automatic transmission.) Option it with all-wheel drive and you'll take a slight penalty at 27 mpg in the city, 32 on the highway, and 29 combined. According to Mazda that still "makes it among the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicles available in the US." Whichever drivetrain option you go for, the CX-3 packs a 2.0-liter inline-four with direct injection (Skyactiv-G in Mazda-speak) good for 146 horsepower and just as much torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The first examples will begin reaching American showrooms later this summer. Related Video: 2016 Mazda CX-3 Scores Class-Leading[1] EPA Fuel Economy Ratings - New Subcompact Mazda Crossover Has EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy of Up to 35 MPG Highway - IRVINE, Calif., June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover utility vehicle has been rated with an EPA-estimated fuel economy as high as 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway[2], which positions CX-3's fuel economy as class-leading1 among all 2015 and 2016 subcompact crossover utility vehicles. As Mazda's first foray into the quickly burgeoning subcompact crossover class of vehicles, CX-3 provides those seeking a purposeful, stylish and sporty vehicle option that bucks convention. CX-3 offers standard keyless ignition and backup camera, and is available with features that are unrivalled in its class like Mazda Radar Cruise Control, adaptive LED headlights and Mazda's signature driving experience. Front-wheel-drive models have EPA-estimated fuel economy of 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined, while models equipped with Mazda's predictive i-ACTIV AWD have EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg city/32 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. That makes it among the most-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicles available in the U.S. "SKYACTIV Technology means we don't have to compromise when it comes to performance, efficiency and fun-to-drive dynamics," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club and Launch Edition unveiled

If you haven't been tempted enough already to place your order for a new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Japanese automaker is sweetening the deal even further at the New York Auto Show this week with the debut of two new editions. Most enticing is the arrival of the new Club edition (pictured above), which brings with it a number of upgrades to Mazda's latest roadster. The MX-5 Miata Club comes with 17-inch gunmetal alloys, a limited-slip differential, Bilstein shocks, tower brace and a new spoilers front and rear. That is, when equipped with the six-speed manual. (The automatic is still available as well, but does without the diff, shocks and brace.) Buyers will even be able to upgrade to BBS alloys of the same size, Brembo front brakes and the aero kit previewed by the MX-5 Global Cup racer in Chicago. The Mazda Connect infotainment system comes standard, with seven-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, nine-speaker Bose audio... the works. The Club edition isn't the only new Miata being launched in Manhattan this week, though: so is the Launch Edition. Offered to the first 1,000 customers who place their orders for a new Miata in the US, the MX-5 Launch Edition is based on the Grand Touring trim level and comes in an exclusive combination of Soul Red paint with a tan leather interior. It even comes with a few do-dads to go along with it. Mazda is taking deposits of $500 for those first 1,000 units at www.longlivetheroadster.com, and details of both these upgraded Miatas can be found in the press releases below. Related Video: 2016 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CLUB MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - Performance-focused MX-5 Club has trim level-exclusive Bilstein suspension, limited-slip differential - NEW YORK (April 1, 2015) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today introduced the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club at the New York International Auto Show, marking the world debut of the North American-focused Club model. Lighter, smaller, quicker and more nimble than its predecessor, MX-5 has adopted Mazda's full suite of SKYACTIV Technology and KODO-Soul of Motion design. In the process, MX-5 has shed approximately 150 pounds from its predecessor, with a curb weight of 2,332 lbs. when equipped with SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission (2,381 lbs. with the six-speed automatic transmission).